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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Khan Academy vs IXL

Khan Academy 4.6★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Khan Academy
IXL 4.3★ · Free + IAP 55

Khan Academy is generally preferred for its comprehensive, free educational content and helpful explanations, despite some technical issues, while IXL is often criticized for its frustrating 'SmartScore' system and perceived lack of value for its paid features.

Full reviews: Khan Academy · IXL

Khan Academy offers a wide range of free educational content with descriptive videos and a helpful format, though users report issues with app stability and keyboard functionality. IXL, while praised for its learning potential, faces significant criticism for its 'SmartScore' system, which penalizes incorrect answers heavily, leading to user frustration and a perception of poor value.

Head to head

Features and Content edge: Khan AcademyR18R20R21R36
Khan Academy Khan Academy is praised for its extensive and well-organized content, with users learning subjects like Algebra 2 and finding it helpful for various topics R20R36. It offers descriptive videos and a format that helps users learn at their own pace R56. However, some users report difficulty finding specific subjects for homework and note that not all courses are available within the app, sometimes requiring a browser R18R21.
IXL IXL is recognized for teaching subjects like languages, math, and reading . Users appreciate its ability to help with subjects they struggle with and its interactive elements . However, many users express frustration that the app primarily focuses on math and English, with limited or no content for other subjects like history or science, despite claims of offering them R78.
Ease of Use and User Experience tieR1R3R6R9
Khan Academy Khan Academy's interface is generally seen as easy to use, with features like a scratchpad and videos to show how things are done . However, there are frequent complaints about technical glitches, such as videos not playing, app crashes, incorrect solutions, and issues with the in-app keyboard R1R3R6R16. Users also report problems with account login, progress not saving, and content not fully displaying on mobile devices R9R10R13R15.
IXL IXL's core learning experience is often overshadowed by its 'SmartScore' system, which is a major source of user frustration. Users report significant point deductions for incorrect answers, especially at higher scores, making it difficult and demotivating to progress R64R66R69R73. Similar to Khan Academy, some users also experience keyboard glitches and issues with content loading .
Reliability and Performance tieR1R10R13R15
Khan Academy Khan Academy users frequently report issues with app stability, including crashes, videos not playing, and glitches in lessons R1. There are also concerns about the app not saving progress or data, especially for downloaded courses, and problems with account login R10R13R15. Some users note that the app is slow or that the new update introduced glitches .
IXL IXL's reliability is primarily impacted by its scoring system, which users find consistently frustrating and unfair R64R66R69. Technical issues like the keyboard glitching and not disappearing are also reported , as well as content failing to load .
Price and Value edge: Khan AcademyR56R75R78R82
Khan Academy Khan Academy is highly valued for being a free app with no ads or pop-ups for subscriptions R56. This makes it an accessible and recommended option for learning R56.
IXL IXL is criticized for its pricing model. While it offers a free tier, users quickly encounter paywalls and find the full subscription expensive R75R82R88. Many feel that the value offered, especially given the frustrating scoring system and limited subject coverage, does not justify the cost R75R78R82R88.
Support and Feedback tieR1R3R16R22
Khan Academy Reviews do not explicitly mention user support, but some users express frustration with unclear explanations and problems, as well as account settings that 'don't even make sense' R16. There are also instances where users report incorrect solutions in lessons R1R3R22.
IXL IXL's feedback system is described as disorganized and confusing, with users often not understanding the problem and resorting to memorization R88. The app's scoring system is a major point of contention, with users feeling it's unfair and demotivating R64R66R69R73.
Pick Khan Academy if

you are looking for a free, comprehensive educational resource with descriptive videos and a wide range of subjects, and are willing to overlook occasional technical glitches or minor content navigation issues R20R36R56.

Pick IXL if

you or your child thrive on structured practice, primarily in math and English, and are not easily discouraged by a challenging scoring system that heavily penalizes incorrect answers .

Evidence note: Khan Academy's reviews show a mix of strong praise for its educational value and significant complaints about technical issues, while IXL's reviews are heavily dominated by frustration with its 'SmartScore' system, even among users who acknowledge its learning potential. The free nature of Khan Academy likely contributes to a broader range of user experiences, including those who may not be as invested.

Frequently asked

Is Khan Academy truly free?
Yes, Khan Academy is highlighted by users as a free educational app with no ads or subscription pop-ups, making its content accessible to everyone R56.
What are the main frustrations with IXL?
The primary frustration with IXL is its 'SmartScore' system, which severely penalizes incorrect answers, often dropping users many points (e.g., 10-15 points) while only awarding a few points for correct ones, especially at higher score levels R64R66R69R73. This system is widely described as demotivating and rage-inducing.
Does Khan Academy have technical problems?
Yes, Khan Academy users frequently report technical issues including videos not playing, app crashes, glitches in lessons, problems with the in-app keyboard, and difficulties with account login and progress saving R1R6R10R13.
Is IXL worth the cost?
Many users question if IXL is worth its cost, with some noting it can be around £100 per month, especially given that free alternatives exist and the app's frustrating scoring system and limited subject coverage (primarily math and English) detract from its perceived value R75R78R82R88.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R18] Khan Academy 3/5 · GB We need this pls 😭: This app is goated, we just need y’all to put the courses in the app, it’s hard to find the chrome tab with the course when it’s surrounded by a million others
  2. [R20] Khan Academy 5/5 · US Luv🌟: I have a quiet fear of going back to school now that im in my early 20s, and this has helped me find an easy service that helps me learn on my own in an easy and digestible way. I reccomend if you want to kickstart yourself in different topics!! Thank you!
  3. [R21] Khan Academy 3/5 · GB Ok until subject: I love khan academy, and it’s great until you need a specific subject then… not that great. For me I was trying to get khan academy to explain something for my homework, but I just couldn’t find the exact thing I needed. So it’s great and all if you don’t need a specific subject question and are fine with just following their ways.
  4. [R36] Khan Academy 5/5 · US Really helpful: Literally have never seen an app do so well at helping with courses I’m going to high school and wanted to get ready this is already really cool wish I found it sooner
  5. [R1] Khan Academy 1/5 · US Needs more work: Videos sometimes do not play, app crashes frequently and lessons also very frequently have incorrect solutions and glitches requiring you to restart the lesson. Typing using the in-app keyboard is also very finnicky, creating and logging into accounts do not work well, and things taught in the videos aren't in the lessons after.
  6. [R3] Khan Academy 3/5 · US This is not math: They said 12 equals 10
  7. [R6] Khan Academy 3/5 · US keybord ragebait: the keyboard is absolute ragebait it thinks 2 = 1 and 7 = 9 the keyboard is the most annoying form of ragebait Hope to see more content too My parents make me do this a million times a day and learning is not fun and you cannot learn anything Unpurposeful app = this Ragebait app = this Uidfciugreifugiuefrgiufre
  8. [R9] Khan Academy 3/5 · US Khan academy: It was OK but it never showed me where I left off in the unit so I ended up retaking a whole unit over again!!
  9. [R10] Khan Academy 1/5 · US Fix this!: I had an account for a couple months and I made 5 accounts because of this problem!when I'm signing in my account it's saying "you password or username is incorrect" even though i know it is! Looks like I have to make another 2 accounts.
  10. [R13] Khan Academy 2/5 · US Khan academy deleted all of my progress: So I just came back to do khan academy and I see a screen telling me to sign up even though I was at the end of 4th grade. Khan academy should see what happened. Now all of my progress is gone and I was on my last unit in 4th grade
  11. [R15] Khan Academy 3/5 · US ehh downloads arent good: love that it has all the languages and materials adapted to mobile. problem is it wont save data (even after getting back on the internet) when doing bookmarked courses. downloading stuff is kind of the reason i have the app and use it online, but besides that its good.
  12. [R56] Khan Academy 5/5 · US Khan academy: It’s an awesome educational app. It has very descriptive videos and it’s free no ads no pop-ups for “ get your subscription”. If you’re looking for an educational app, I recommend this.
  13. [R75] IXL 3/5 · GB Good but Not impressed: This is a good app but I don’t wanna pay cuz I’m looking forward to studying for Sats but it pays to go allll the way! I understand that this is how you guys make money but just not the money for me as I can use different apps for free ＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚ I hope you understand 😉˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊
  14. [R78] IXL 3/5 · GB It only has maths and English: I had a history test but I thought this might help cuz it’s a learning app but when I tried it doesn’t have it and it’s soo expensive like guests don’t get much to learn and it says it has Spanish resources but try searching it up and they say they can’t find what we’re looking for so it u want math and English only download it but other than that don’t . :(
  15. [R82] IXL 1/5 · US Worst app ever: This app is horrible for learning you install it for free then have to pay to use it and when you pay you have to do a dumb quiz that “shows” your level in school and it starts off hard, if you get a question wrong it takes you down like 3 grades and it’s hard to do anything on this app and not only is it hard it’s a long process the quiz takes over 3 hours in total just to give yo
  16. [R16] Khan Academy 1/5 · US ABSOLUTE HORIBLE: IT DOESNT LET U RESTART, EXPLANATIONS AND PROBLEM ARE UNCLEAR, AND APP DOESNT SUPPORT ANYTHING INCLUDING. TYPING EXPONENTS ON THE KEYBOARD THE CONTROL CENTER IS TRASH AND THE FEEDBACK AND ACCOUNT SETTINGS DONT EVEN MAKE SENSE
  17. [R22] Khan Academy 2/5 · US They need to learn their math: Bro so I was doing this for online school right and I was doing this question abt rounding and it said it was wrong but ts was right and I asked my teacher she was like it’s right and gave me a low score
  18. [R64] IXL 1/5 · US What is this hecking delusional app bro: Me and my cousin use this crusty dusty rusty moldy mistake to learn. Unfortunately when we use this app and when we get a question wrong why does it send us back 10 points down like bro I’m trying to learn and you don’t give HUMANITY mercy.In my cousins words “ literally this one boy in my class started crying because of the MISTAKE he made on a question “
  19. [R66] IXL 3/5 · US things that NEED to be changed: this app is ok. it’s good for learning, but why the heck do you drop lower when you get something wrong? that discourages students like me. it takes longer to finish the ixl. JUST KEEP THE STUDENT IN THE SAME SPOT DONT MOVE THEM DOWN!!!!
  20. [R69] IXL 3/5 · US Rager Learning App: This app frustrates me a lot because every time you get something wrong, you get 5-15 points off and each time you get one correct you get 10 at first in the beginning for about 5 times until 53 and then you only get 1-3 points for each you get correct. The app is a great learning app for kids and all people and i would recommend this learning app for people who likes to rage😅😅
  21. [R73] IXL 1/5 · US NO: I HATE IXL DO NOT GET IF I COULD PUT NEGATIVE -900!! DO NOT GET I MAKES YOU VERY MAD EVERY TIME YOU GET IT WRONG 😡
  22. [R88] IXL 1/5 · US very horrible: Overall, this app isn’t a great way to learn. Not only is it not free, but every time you get an answer wrong, it bumps you down like 15 points. When you finally get an answer right, you only go up like 4-5. It’s very frustrating and especially stressful when you are being timed and scored on every problem. The feedback is disorganized and confusing. I often don’t understand the pro

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store